Attendance
Reporting an Absence
If your child is unwell and unable to attend school, please telephone 01983 524651, select option 1, followed by the relevant year group option number.
Attendance
The Federation expects the full support of parents/carers in maintaining the highest level of attendance for their child. It is a legal requirement that students maintain regular attendance. Attendance is regularly monitored by Tutors, Heads of Year, our Pastoral Team and the Attendance Officer. If a student is absent for any reason this absence must be explained immediately with a note which is signed by the parent/carer.
Regular attendance at school means that your child can make the most of their education and improve their chances in adult life. School can also help your child’s social skills such as making and developing friendships. A regular and punctual attendance pattern will help your child when they enter the world of work.
The link between attendance and attainment in school is clear. The more a pupil is in school the more they increase their opportunity to fulfil their potential.
Reward points are awarded on a termly basis to students who achieve good attendance, as part of our Rewards Scheme.
Taking a holiday in term time is not supported by the School or the Local Authority and we work closely with the Education and Inclusion service, to ensure good levels of attendance. National research shows that there is a very close link between attendance and the results achieved by the child. Parents/carers are strongly requested to avoid taking holidays in term time. If this is absolutely unavoidable, a ‘request for leave of absence’ form must be completed. The completed form should be received at least 2 weeks before the period for which you are seeking authorisation. The completed form, setting out your reasons, must be returned to the college, for the attention of the head teacher.
Punctuality
Schools are legally required to take a register of pupils first thing in the morning and at some point in the afternoon. If a pupil is late but the register is still open, they are marked as late. If the register has already closed when a pupil arrives late and without a satisfactory explanation, it may be classed as an unauthorised absence. This may lead to legal action for not ensuring regular and punctual school attendance.
Punctuality is important. If, for example, a child arrives 15 minutes late at school each day, they lose almost 2 weeks of education a year.